| Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | CIDRAP |
| Formation | 2001 |
| Purpose/focus | "to prevent illness and death from infectious diseases through epidemiologic research and the rapid translation of scientific information into real-world practical applications and solutions" |
| Director | Michael T. Osterholm |
| Parent organization | Academic Health Center |
| Affiliations | University of Minnesota |
| Website | cidrap.umn.edu |
The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) is a center within the University of Minnesota that focuses on addressing public health preparedness and emerging infectious disease response. It was founded in 2001 by Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH, in order to "prevent illness and death from infectious diseases through epidemiological research and rapid translation of scientific information into real-world practical applications and solutions".[1]
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MCEIRS was established by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and CIDRAP in April 2007. The center focuses on the detection, epidemiology, ecology, and transmission of avian influenza (AI) viruses with pandemic potential. MCEIRS is one of six NIH-supported centers[2] in the United States conducting a variety of research and surveillance activities domestically and abroad. The overall goal is to enhance understanding of how AI viruses evolve, adapt, and spread among animal populations and from animals to humans.[3]
MCEIRS initiatives under way in North America and Southeast Asia are aimed at identifying and analyzing AI viruses in wild birds, poultry, swine, and humans having close contact with animals at high risk of infection. Specific goals include:[4]
CIDRAP has served as at partner in the federal BioWatch air-monitoring program. This program is responsible for the constant monitoring for potential bioterrorism-related agents in cities throughout the United States.[5] Through its contract with the Department of Homeland Security, CIDRAP provides support for the development of national outdoor and indoor guidance documents, a national epidemiology communications network, and a suite of related program and reference documents.
The CIDRAP website provides daily news updates on emerging infectious diseases, such as Pandemic influenza, BioTerrorism, Food Safety, Avian influenza, and the novel H1N1 influenza A pandemic. Along with news articles, the site provides overviews on various infectious disease topics, as well as lists of selected readings for each topic.[6]
In 2007, CIDRAP News received an Award for Excellence in Health Care Journalism from the Association of Health Care Journalists for its seven-part series, "The Pandemic Vaccine Puzzle." [7]